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Archival Collections ➔ Archival Collection #207 - May Godfrey Egyptian Tour
Identifier:
2007.1.66Description:
This collection consists of 55 black and white, photographic prints mounted on cardboard. The prints depict Egyptian scenes from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century and most of them were likely photographed by the renown Turkish photographer Jean Pascal Sebah whose signature is found on the bottom corner of many of the prints. Other images are credited to photographers by the names "Langahi" and "A. Beoits". Many of the images appear to be staged, with excellent framing, lighting, exposure, and carefully posed individuals. These photos in particular capture the experience of the Victorian tourism industry where excursions were available for well-to-do Victorians. With the growing technology of photography, they were a popular souvenir that documented the trip and also influenced the Victorians' understanding and perceptions of the vast lands under colonial rule. Godfrey may have purchased these prints as a set while in Egypt. The photographs that make up this collection were found in the Public Museum's old school loan collection. These were items that teachers from Grand Rapids schools could borrow from the Grand Rapids Public Museum to use in their classrooms.A full listing of the contents of this collection can be found in the Finding Aid that is attached to the media section of this catalog entry.